Knee decisions — 2024

Service connection for tinnitus and vertigo has been granted, while service connection for TBI, sleep apnea, low back pain arthritis, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (claimed as neuropathy), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as neuropathy), right knee pain arthritis, left knee pain arthritis, right shin splints, left shin splints, right elbow and arm pain arthritis, left elbow and arm pain arthritis, right wrist pain arthritis, left wrist pain arthritis, right shoulder pain arthritis, left shoulder pain arthritis, right hip pain arthritis, left hip pain arthritis, right foot pain arthritis, and left foot pain arthritis have been denied.,Service connection for a left index finger arthralgia has been granted with an effective date of November 12, 2008. Service connection for lateral collateral ligament sprain and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle has been granted with an effective date of July 12, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for left knee limited flexion is denied. A separate initial 10 percent rating for left knee instability from March 19, 2021 and continuing thereafter is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee conditions has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia patellae/patellofemoral syndrome or a compensable rating for limitation of extension associated with this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain and instability have been denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher ratings granted. The Veteran's left wrist disability is also rated at 10 percent.,Both knees are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records from private sources. The Veteran's right knee disability claim will be reviewed again with these additional records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the right knee condition existed prior to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors, including a lack of VA examination for left leg and knee disabilities and inadequate medical opinions regarding hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, finding that the earliest possible effective date is September 30, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea due to untimeliness. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sciatica, right knee disability, left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability were denied.

The Veteran's claims for beneficiary travel expenses were denied because they were not submitted within the required 30-day filing deadline, despite a previous suspension of the deadline due to the COVID-19 emergency.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a left knee disability is denied as the earliest possible effective date would be December 2, 2013, which is one day after his discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits arose on June 1, 2013.

The Board has granted an annual clothing allowance for the right ankle brace used to treat service-connected right ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD) and right knee pain associated with right ankle DJD. The decision is based on the Veteran's continued use of the brace, which causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are caused by his service-connected fibromyalgia, PTSD, sleep apnea, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is caused by his service-connected back disability with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee replacement residuals and a left anterior knee scar was denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities and compensation claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left knee conditions due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is being remanded for new VA medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his active service.